National Mentor Month: Setting a Good Example

January is an excellent time for setting intentions, creating goals, and working on personal resolutions. It can also be a time to start a new project, get involved in the community, and make a difference for others. That’s the idea behind National Mentoring Month. Becoming a mentor for young women and girls can allow you to share your knowledge and experiences with someone else. Here are some things you should know about being a mentor. 

How to Become a Mentor

Becoming a mentor can be as casual or formal as you like. Plenty of people had experiences in their childhood when they could look up to a strong person who never took on a formal role as a mentor but was a part of their lives. This might have been a family member, teacher, or long-time family friend. If you want to do something more organized, consider joining a mentor organization such as Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Or you can ensure that your girls have access to multiple role models by enrolling them in a program like Ladybug for Girls. 

Making a Commitment

The key to becoming a mentor is committing to the process. Some mentors are people like teachers or coaches who are a part of your girls’ lives. Others are individuals in the community who make a positive impact. They are role models, cheerleaders, and advocates. A good mentor is someone who wants to make a difference in the life of a young person, has respect for the children they’re working with, empathy, and flexibility. 

Work on Active Listening Skills

It’s essential to cultivate your active listening skills when working with young girls. Many of us have the instinct to listen to someone else only long enough to develop a response and speak as soon as there is a pause in the conversation. But this can mean you miss out on important information or context. Learn more about active listening here. 

Have Fun 

Most of all, to be a mentor, have fun with it. Whether you join an organization, are an educator, or are a parent who wants to provide a good role model for your daughter and their friends, be sure to enjoy the time you spend with these girls. When you have fun, they have fun, and they’ll see that learning and engaging are joyful. 

Talk to us about more opportunities for finding positive role models in your girls’ lives.